Home Improvement Articles

Category: Heating and Air Conditioning

Let’s start off by talking about freon, what it is, and why your system needs it. There seems to be many misconceptions that homeowners have about freon. Freon is not like gas to your car, or some kind of fuel the air conditioning system uses. All Air Conditioning units are completely sealed closed loop systems, they are not designed to leak, ever. Just saying that clears up 99% of misconceptions about it. Freon is the refrigerant in your air conditioning system that transfers heat from the air in your house, and removes it to the outdoors. It is pumped by your compressor in a constant loop, from your condenser (which houses the compressor) to your evaporator coil (usually in your attic, or wherever the furnace/Air handler is located in your home) and back again. Round and round it goes, pulling the heat out of the air as it gets pushed across the fins of the evaporator coil (kind of looks like a radiator).

When people say they need a freon fill, the first thing that pops into every technicians mind is “where is it leaking from.” the answer to that question is often, from the evaporator section of the air conditioning system. The Evaporator coil is where the heat transfer happens, as warm air hits a cold coil, it forms condensation. This humid, wet environment acts on the metals of that coil, to oxidize and form rust and break those alloys down over time. Often this results in microfractures, and small, diffuse pinhole leaks. These leaks can range from big to small. If you’ve ever had your unit topped off only to find the next day it was blowing warm air again, then you have a large leak. If your unit only takes a pound or two of refrigerant, but last you the whole summer season, chances are you have a small leak.

Common signs and symptoms of a freon leak can be, warm, or less cool air blowing from your vents. Units taking longer to reach temperature that the thermostat is calling for, or not reaching temperature at all. Ice forming in your coil, and traveling down the line set to your compressor, enveloping it in a shroud of ice (kind of weird to see on a 95 degree day). When in doubt some of the things to check first your air filters, make sure they’re clean. If it’s been a month or longer, go ahead and change them. check the outside unit for ice on the line set or around the compressor. If it’s there, shut off the unit and seek professional help. If it isn’t, feel the air temperature coming off the unit, it should be hotter than the outside air temperature, if it is great! but that means your problem may lie elsewhere.

Running a unit that is low on freon is the equivalent to running your car while it’s low on coolant or oil. It’s not going to end well, and even if it’s providing some relieve from the heat you could do more damage to the unit.

There are many different factors that must be taken into consideration when choosing a central air conditioner. These air conditioners not only keep your home cool but they can also dehumidify and filter the air. One thing to consider is what part of the home do you need the air conditioning.

Factors to consider

• Size of the central air conditioner-you want to make sure that the cooling power of the air conditioner matches the characteristics of the home. The contractor that is installing the air conditioner can do a load calculation to make sure the there is a proper account of the window area, insulation levels, and size of home are figured.
• Where it is going to be installed-where it is place can affect the efficiency of the air conditioner because if there is too much interference the air will not flow through the area freely.
• Moisture performance-how comfortable you are will depend on controlling the humidity. Air conditioner systems will vary in how they are able to extract the moisture from the air so talk to the dealer about the unit’s performance before purchasing a central air conditioner to be sure it the right one for your home.
• Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (seer ratings)-this will give you the necessary information on the efficiency of the unit. Most of the older units have a rating of seven while the newer ones will not have a rating below thirteen.

Many homeowners have the misconception that the larger the size of the central unit the more attractive, efficient, and appealing it is but there are drawbacks with choosing a large size system.

• This system will turn on and off frequently
• More expensive
• Have more wear and tear
• It will not run long enough to take the moisture out of the air
• Uses a lot of electricity giving the homeowner higher electric bills.

Advantages of a central cooling unit

• They are the most effective way to regulate cool air as the air is sent along a direct route to the individual rooms
• They make less noise than window air conditioners
• The visible part of the unit is the compressor, and it is located outside of the home so they do not affect the view from the window, take up any extra space in the room, block any spaces, and convenient to operate
• More energy efficient
• Most work in a reverse cycle too, which means that in the winter they will pump in hot air.
• They keep your entire home cool instead of just one room

Do you live in a place where winters are long and too cold? If yes is your answer, then it won’t a much trouble to convince you to buy a new heater to survive the chilly season. However, you won’t have the latest and most convenient gas heater that could prove to be extremely helpful in warming up your home.

A wide range of heaters is available in the market, and out of these there are numerous types of gas heaters as well.

However, ventless heaters have become quite fashionable these days. They don’t retain or emit air from outside. This makes them more proficient and the environment well disposed, but however they require sufficient ventilation in the room in which they are utilised to avoid suffocation.

Benefits Of Using Portable Gas Heaters

These are for the most part small in size and simple to move around, thus you can utilise them in each room of your home. This implies you can bring it alongside you as switch places in a room, or you can even utilize it outdoors when you hang out on your patio.

They require less power than centralised warming systems that might be on all through your home. Along these lines, your bills won’t be excessive anymore.

A compact gas heater is more eco-friendly than the usual heaters. As they are ventless models, they don’t contaminate the surroundings when you turn the device on.

They are cheap. This is evident essentially from the idea that you just heat the room in which you’re hanging out.

These are available in small sizes and won’t occupy much space. However, you need to refill the small sized heaters more frequently than the bigger ones.

Versatile and portable gas heaters can be utilized in the garage and patio as well. A ventless heater will keep your car warm in those extremely cold, chilly months, so the car’s engine does not freeze and you can start it easily every morning. It is vital to keep your vehicle running, particularly when there’s no other transport option in the winter months.

Fuel Utilised Portable Gas Heaters

When utilising a gas heater, you ought to obviously watch out for the cost of the fuel utilised as a part of it. For example, with natural gas heaters, you need to watch out for natural gas costs. It the prices are fluctuating excessively, it will make it hard for you to foresee your costs. Propane heaters are likewise preferred as propane is an exceptionally cost-effective fuel when compared with electric radiators.

Safety And Precautions

You need to be extra careful and should follow all the necessary steps while using any type of heaters. The same case is with gas heaters, which are quite beneficial, but you need to take all precautions for your own safety.